Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt added.
The planned renaming is expected to be highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's sitting board members and appointed loyalists in their positions. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance major renovations and operational expenses at the historic venue.
Inception
The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was named in his honor.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be published soon.
